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Rapid Rugby including Western Force and Asia-Pacific teams to be kickstarted in early 2019

Final Score - Western Force 45 South China Tigers 22. The Tigers couldn't keep up with the fast pace of rapid rugby in the second half. If you missed the match you can watch the replay later on the Global Rapid Rugby website for free. https://www.rapidrugby.com/watch/
 
Final Score - Western Force 45 South China Tigers 22. The Tigers couldn't keep up with the fast pace of rapid rugby in the second half. If you missed the match you can watch the replay later on the Global Rapid Rugby website for free. https://www.rapidrugby.com/watch/
 
Interesting that a couple of tries came from grubbers that I'm not sure would have been kicked in conventional rugby. But too early to say if that is because of rule changes creating a different play style.

I'm not sure why the SC Tigers had to tape over their sponsors name. Maybe a fall out from the league not getting fully up and running this year.
 
To launch the 2019 Global Rapid Rugby Showcase Australia's Western Force played home games in Perth against the World XV and the South China Tigers. As an example of the brand's appeal, SBS recorded an average viewer audience of 64,000.
https://www.rapidrugby.com/on-the-air-everywhere/
Is the viewing figure good?
Western Force beat Asia Pacific Dragons 42-10 last week.
 
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They just finished a great match in Fiji. It was very competitive and exciting, from start to finish. Fijian Latui beat Kagifa Samoa at the very end of the match. But this was the most exciting play of the day.

 
Valke-Players-RS.jpg

Other than the historic test between Wallabies and All Blacks in front of 61000+ crowds in Perth, Western Force also played a match versus Malaysia Valke which has its roots back in South Africa.
There will be around 10% of Malaysian players in the squad for next Rapid Rugby season according to partnership with the Malaysia rugby union.
 
Rapid Rugby Season 1 Revealed
November 14, 2019
Global Rapid Rugby's inaugural home-and-away season will feature six teams, 10 rounds, 31 games including a one-off Final and $AU 1 Million in prize money.

Five of the teams that will fight for the Global Rapid Rugby Season 1 ***le in 2020 were unveiled today and represent the traditional powers of Australasia, the untapped potential of Asia and the passion and pride of the Pacific Islands.

Fast-paced and explosive by name and nature, the competition will begin on Friday, March 13 and reach a crescendo when the top two teams go head-to-head in the Grand Final in Perth, Australia, on June 5 or 6.





The Teams:

Western Force was Global Rapid Rugby's premier Showcase Series team and won Australia's National Rugby Championship earlier this month

Fijian Latui will take its amazing mix of flair and strength to all parts of the rugby-mad island nation, and be just as tough to beat on foreign shores

Manuma Samoa is an exciting, home-grown squad capable of anything, particularly on a redeveloped home stadium in Apia

South China Tigers from Hong Kong is sure to build on this year's Global Rapid Rugby Asian Showcase and reach their powerful potential in 2020

Malaysia Valke, based in Kuala Lumpur, comprises some of both South Africa's and Malaysia's best domestic talent and a strong hunger to succeed

Negotiations are nearing completion with a sixth team to be based in Asia





Unveiling the format for Season 1, Global Rapid Rugby CEO, Mark Evans, described the combination of teams as a perfect blend for a competition designed to expand rugby's appeal to new and old fans alike.

"We are thrilled to be able to inject the excitement and energy of Rapid Rugby's first home-and-away competition into these territories within the Asia Pacific region in 2020," Evans said.

"The evolution from a Showcase Series to a Home-And-Away Season will multiply the success we enjoyed this year in many ways.

"In particular, providing Fiji and Samoa with access to a full-scale, international competition is an enormous result for the sport worldwide."

Three games each round will be staged across Friday, Saturday and Sundays. Final date, time and venue details are yet to be finalised, however a round-by-round draw released today includes a number of marquee matches.





Historic Opener
South China Tigers v Manuma Samoa in Hong Kong. Rd 1

Full House
Fijian Latui v Western Force in Fiji. Rd 3

Pacific Derby
Fijian Latui v Manuma Samoa. Rds 5+10

Final Fling
Malaysia Valke v South China Tigers. Rd 10





"Season 1 is definitely fast by name and nature. A 10-round competition to decide the grand finalists will mean every match is critical," Evans said.

"We have worked hard to ensure all teams' travel times and days away from home are similar and I know all the teams and unions involved share our expectation around how even the competition will be.

"We hope all fans of elite sport get behind their teams and ensure loud and proud crowds provide a real home ground advantage.

"The 'always entertaining' Rapid Rugby philosophy is one of the things that sets us apart and I promise we will provide a fun, family-friendly atmosphere at all games in all venues throughout the season."

The brainchild of Australian businessman and internationally renowned philanthropist Andrew Forrest AO, Global Rapid Rugby began as a Perth based exhibition series in 2018 after Australia's Western Force was removed from the international Super Rugby competition. It grew into a 2019 Showcase Series across seven Asia Pacific territories, featuring 70-minute matches, revolutionary new rules and an emphasis on off-field entertainment for fans.

2020-Global-Rapid-Rugby-Schedule-EDM-INSERT-R3-765x1024.jpg
 
Keeping everything crossed, but not a great sign to be 5 months out and unable to name 6th side. Pretty confident it won't be from Japan as they seem committed to their new domestic league.
 
Does anyone play rugby in India? That is a huge market and Rugby is so different from Cricket and hockey. Should tap into the Kabaddi culture over there.
 
Does anyone play rugby in India? That is a huge market and Rugby is so different from Cricket and hockey. Should tap into the Kabaddi culture over there.

Yes, they do. Here's some footage from the Asia Rugby 7s series from 2017 when India played their rival Pakistan. They play 15s rugby as well.

 
Keeping everything crossed, but not a great sign to be 5 months out and unable to name 6th side. Pretty confident it won't be from Japan as they seem committed to their new domestic league.

They had a team from Singapore called Asia Pacific Dragons in the showcase series (last season) who I saw play online a few times. Hopefully they'll be the 6th.

163px-Asia_Pacific_Dragons_logo.png
 
Does anyone play rugby in India? That is a huge market and Rugby is so different from Cricket and hockey. Should tap into the Kabaddi culture over there.

How do you not know this???

Naas Botha is the head coach of India's men and women 15's Rugby Team. That's why he's not on Supersport anymore...
 
Here is an article from global rapid rugby and it looks like it's a bay of plenty is involved with this adventure.

CHINA AND NEW ZEALAND JOIN RUGBY REVOLUTION

January 31, 2020

Global Rapid Rugby has unveiled the China Lions as the final team in its inaugural home-and-away competition this year. China Rugby Football Association and New Zealand's domestic championship winning Bay of Plenty have formed an exciting joint venture.

The Lions are the sixth team to be announced as part of Global Rapid Rugby Season One in 2020, joining Australia's Western Force, the Malaysia Valke representing both Malaysia and South Africa, Fijian Latui, Manuma Samoa and the Hong Kong based South China Tigers.

Fast paced and explosive by name and nature, Season One includes a AU$1 million total prize pool, 30 games over 10 rounds and a one-off Grand Final.

Global Rapid Rugby CEO, Mark Evans, described the inclusion of China as 'crucial' to the long-term development of rugby throughout Asia.

"Our expansion into China is an important development for the competition. We believe that rugby has the potential to become an extremely popular and successful sport throughout the country," Evans said.

"Rugby is a game with broad appeal. Add the on-going energy, entertainment and family fun created by Rapid Rugby and I am confident crowds in Shanghai will love supporting their home team, the Lions.

"We thank the China Rugby Football Association for its assistance and belief in what we are trying to achieve. The ongoing support of New Zealand Rugby has always been greatly appreciated. It is tremendously exciting to be involved with a progressive operation like Bay of Plenty Rugby Union," Evans said.

This year is the perfect time to expand the rugby footprint in China. The national women's team will make China's Olympic Rugby debut in Tokyo and the men's team will continue its attempt to qualify for the 2020 Games.

Mr Chen, President of China Rugby Football Association, says Rapid Rugby is an appealing concept with an exciting future.

"China Rugby Football Association partnering with Bay of Plenty Rugby to compete in Rapid Rugby supports the strategy for the growth of rugby in China. We are very excited about our Chinese women's team competing this year in the Olympics in Tokyo and see this new partnership as part of our strategy of providing opportunities to develop our Chinese players and coaches and raise the profile of rugby in China."

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union CEO, Mike Rogers, described the partnership with Chinese Rugby and Rapid Rugby as a bold step forward.

"Bay of Plenty Rugby is excited about partnering with the China Rugby Football Association to participate in Rapid Rugby 2020 and over time grow the game of rugby in China. The vision of Rapid Rugby is one that we share and we are committed to growing the fantastic Rapid Rugby brand in the Asian region."

The creation of Australian businessman and internationally renowned philanthropist Andrew Forrest AO, Global Rapid Rugby began as a Perth based Exhibition Series in 2018 and developed into a 2019 Showcase Series across seven Asia Pacific territories, featuring 70-minute matches, revolutionary new rules and an emphasis on off-field entertainment for fans.

Global Rapid Rugby Season One will kick off on March 13 with the Grand Final in Perth on June 6. The full match schedule will be released soon.

Global Rapid Rugby will monitor and follow the advice of relevant health authorities around the Coronavirus and immediately communicate any relevant information to stakeholders.
 
Whether Global Rapid Rugby succeeds or not, putting teams in major markets like Shanghai, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur is an exciting development. No harm trying and seeing if it works. It's also great that there are pro teams in Fiji and Samoa.

This competition, the newly proposed Japanese league, SLAR in South American and MLR making progress in North America are positive signs for the growth of the sport.
 

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